Why I Love my Pops, Vol. 2...

10JUN2023; 2259, SAT– Maryland, USA

Fresh off the heels of my very first "top story", I said to myself: Why not go for a back to back; potentially? If not a rolling stone of an almost unimaginable "three-peat"?

In any event, I really wanted to subtitle this one, "More 'gems' from Papa V." Then again, I can't hardly resist the urge to show my Love for music.

And with that, here's a few more words of wisdom from a weary Old Man that's wary of wise guys:

1.) Kick and push to get where you wanna be; if that's what it takes. When you get there tho, hop off your skateboard; and then give thanks that you didn't have to "foot it", nor "cab it" to the destination.

2.) Whether it's a foe demanding fisticuffs; a drop dead gorgeous potential mate; or life itself that you have to vie for, go about it head held high; always. Start out with a light, tho honest effort.

That's because you usually don't need to show your "killer instinct" before you feel 'em out first. Swing for the fences your first ever at-bat if you want to...

3.) Speaking of which tho, if you wanna be a Romeo, be ready to "thug it out" with bammas tryna see how much you care for Juliet. Be it her Fam; "randos" on the street; or even your own flesh and blood.

4.) On the subject of "Famo", keep 'em close at heart; if not physically too. Take care of your peoples; or don't be surprised when your wellbeing runs dry.

5.) In a similar vein, don't be scared to jam out when the Fam's out. Same time, don't be partying next door when your trophy falls off it's mantle (Heaven forbid).

6.) Don't get caught sleeping out in these streets. Cats will run up on you; and it might not be to show Love (God forbid).

7.) On that note, you find a rat in your kitchen, ya better "dead 'em"; and quick. Either that, or don't be surprised if/when all of your cheese is MIA (Missing In Action).

8.) That being said, if there's a Judas in your cypher, get him/her out the way before he/she "gets you together"; as if your name was Yeshua Ben Yosef. Even if you thought it was all Love, don't ever underestimate those 30 shekels.

9.) Peep game when old heads are kicking it to you too. They ain't speaking for they health.

10.) Whole time, if you can, cherish your OG's and your Padawans. Otherwise, no river of tears will be deeper than yours (Heaven and God forbid).

11.) Doubling back to the jams, earn respect off of your musical palette; and don't let it fade. On the real, keep your system ready to bump; and never forget to lower the levels on your ears from time to time.

12.) While you're speaking softly, hiking cane in-hand, don't get hit with your own "big stick". If you do, "you're gonna have a bad time!"

13.) Lastly, setbacks will whack you hard; back to back, and in the small of your back. Just be sure to never forget that that's where almost all of your strength originates from.

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Again, good looking out to everyone who showed me and Pops Love on the most recent piece. Nevermind the "killers" who never showed us nothing but Love; "from the get go."

Y'all stay up; keep holding it down; and remember to be all about whatever you speak on in the hood. On everything that I Love: That's free game.

One Love: "All day, everyday; and [in] every which way."

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